Kathmandu Post

Manang lift Budha Subba Cup

DHARAN, APR 03 -
Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) bagged the 13th Budha Subba Tuborg Gold Cup Football on Sunday. MMC knocked defending champion Rani Pokhari Corner Team out in sudden death to lift the cup for second time in history.

Keeper Bishal Shrestha stole Alex Liking’s thunder denying the African recruit the deciding penalty. Alex, who was out to shoot the ninth penalty shot for RCT, had applied a powerful shot through his right leg only to be saved by 20-year-old Bishal, who dived and punched the ball away.

As for MMC, Ram Thapa taking the ninth penalty got it on target. Before Liking’s miss, MMC had the upper hand. Shiva Shrestha of MMC and Krishna Kunwar, taking the first penalty for their respective teams, rued their chances.

MMC’s coach Devendra Jung Shahi was full of praises for his boys. “I am proud we did it without our seven regular players,” Shahi said, “RCT was a strong opponent and they fought equally hard but the youth in our team did a better job.”

With both the teams having a forgettable finishing, the match had ended in a goalless draw in regulation as well as extra time.

Along with the trophy, MMC received a cash prize of Rs. 200,000 while runner-up RCT had to be content with Rs. 100,000.